This and That

Life After Death

2009-02-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

I have been a big fan of the Dead Like Me series for some time now. I feel it was a very short lived show and should be brought back for more seasons. It aired on showtime and only lasted two seasons.

I'm not really writing this to discuss said show, though perhaps I will another time. Instead I feel I should inform my audience, what little I do have, of the movie that followed. Dead Like Me: Life After Death is the follow up to this under appreciated show. I was awestruck when I discovered this and ordered it right then and there.

Life After Death takes place 5 years after George's death. The driving theme to this movie would seem to be a simple one,everything changes. The magnitude of this statement is unimaginable though. We see the loss of Rube as he apparently "got his lights." The core group of characters is still present minus the tough as nails boss. (Though I will point out the role of Daisy is now played by Sarah Wynter. A little disappointed in that honestly. The performance wasn't up to par in my opinion, but I suppose it couldn't be helped) Now the gang has a new boss who likes to do things a little differently. We see behavior in our group that Rube would never have allowed and we see why. They learn of the serious consequences to their actions. The most direct disregard to the laws of reaping comes, of course, form George, who finally reveals her identity to her sibling Reggie.

Over all I liked this movie. I must admit it lacked in some areas, but it kept some elements true to what we already know. There were some very emotional moments in this movie, more then the show ever quite hit. It doesn't take away from the comedy however that we also remember. I would recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of this show. It has its ups and downs, but I feel it keeps try to the dynamics the characters established long ago.

Rating
7/10

Dead Like Me: Life After Death

Dead Like Me Complete Collection (Season 1,2 and Movie)

Who Watches the Watchmen

2008-07-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

So I've known that this movie was in the works for sometime now. The Watchmen Comic is spectacular! Of course it's in a much older style, having been written in 1986-87.

However, the story in Watchmen is very deep and complex. I was hooked from the very beginning. It can really make you question your own morals.

Now that the movie has a release date I'm extremely excited. From what I can tell it looks fantastic. Seems like they are staying true to the story. Of course, that's only from watching the trailer.

Comparing the sets, they seem pretty accurate as well.

If you haven't read the comic, you should. Probably one of the best comics you can own. (It did win a Hugo Award after all)

Watchmen

Get Your Geek On

2008-07-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

I personally am not much of a television watcher. I don't have the ability to schedule my day around it. I do however LOVE purchasing season of the shows that get me giddy to watch at my own pace. It seems all at once however many great shows are being released all at once. (depends on your definition of great) If only money were no object!

Here are a few the the television shows you might want to look at for your geek collection.

Birds of Prey The Complete Series

Witch Blade The Complete Series

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Season One

Heroes Season Two

Pa Pa Pa Pow

2008-07-18T10:37:00.001-07:00

This particular post was difficult for me. I've been wanting to start it for a while now. I'm torn between my personal and professional opinion. (I use professional very loosely.)

Tank Girl is a comic created by Alan Martin and drawn by Jamie Hewlett in the beginning. You may know Mr. Hewlett from his fame as co-creator of the Gorillaz.

In 1995 Tank girl was made into a movie directed my Rachel Talalay. Lori Petty stars as Rebecca (Tank Girl)and co-stars Noami Watts as Jet and Malcom McDowell as the villain Kesslee.

Here's where it gets tricky for me. To be perfectly honest, this movie wasn't that great. It flopped horribly when it was released and it's pretty easy to see why. Production was poor and a bit cheezy.

Personally though I adored this movie. It was fun and goofy, but in a good way. I liked the constant cuts into comic book scenes, made it feel much more like watching a comic movie. I do see how that was a downfall in the same right though.

All in all I would warn not to go into seeing this movie with high hopes. But I still think it's worth seeing. Also this movie has a fantastic soundtrack as well.

Rating
4/10

Tank Girl Movie

Official Site

Extra Extra!

2008-07-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

Mark your calenders ladies and gents. If you haven't heard of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog then shame on you. Not really, but come on, educate yourself. Dr. Horrible's is a mini series on the web by none other then Joss Whedon, the genius behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Serenity (among other things) This rare gem stars everyone's favorite doctor Neil Patrick Harris. There are also a couple familiar faces from the Joss-verse, Felicia Day and Nathon Fillion. (yay capt'm Mal)

And it's totally free! Here's the catch though, Dr. Horrible's is a week long event. Once it's gone POOF, it's gone. Though you can pay for it later, but who wants that? (besides the people who want to get paid for their work on this project)

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog airs July 15. Check the sites Master plan for more details. Don't miss out! You'll be looked down upon if you do. (by me)

Rock On

2008-06-25T05:59:00.000-07:00

I decide to splurge and something new for once. It's been too long.

Like many people I like playing Guitar Hero. Sure some of us don't like to admit how much of a guilty pleasure the game becomes. You play once and your hooked. Well now you can get your fix anywhere with Guitar Hero on Tour! Now Nintendo DS owners can enjoy playing some good tunes on the go.

I'm pretty impressed with the music selection for this game. A lot of what's on here I've wondered why they didn't think to include before. There are some pretty recent tracks as well including Maroon 5 and Daughtry. I adore the style of this game as well. It's unique while still feeling like Guitar Hero. All our favorite characters are there, as well as a few new faces. Looks pretty all around. There's also a cool new play mode, BATLLE! In the mode you can earn attacks to mess your opponent up or defenses against these attacks. They are actually quite entertaining. You can play against the game, or your friends. You can also play other two player modes, but it requires both of you to own the game.

Sadly though it does have some draw backs. I've been trying for the two days I've owned it now to find a comfortable way to just hold it. It is a little uncomfortable and really stresses your arm and hand muscles. I usually end up laying down and holding it slightly sideways. So with that you tend to get some mess ups that you know you could have easily avoided. The Guitar grip, which is the attachment that has the fret buttons, does have a tendency to slip out if you aren't careful. That's a bit of a pain since it forces you to turn the game off and start over. I don't know how many times I played through the same song because the Grip slipped out at the end of the song.

The whole package comes with The Guitar Grip, a nifty pick stylus, the actual game, and a couple pages of cool stickers. There's also an adapter for those of you that have the original DS.

Guitar Hero on Tour

Rating
7/10

Alas...I Knew Him Well

2008-06-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

Y: The Last Man. I almost feel like I needn't say more. The 10th and last trade came out just this past Wednesday. To be honest, I was skeptical about this series when i started it.

Basic plot:

Every man in the world suddenly drops dead. Yorick Brown and his monkey Ampersand are the only males left alive on earth. He has no idea why but now he's determined to find his girlfriend who resides in France.

I'm trying not to give away too many spoilers, but be forewarned it could happen.
The world is thrown into utter chaos when the men die. Of course at first my feminist side gets angry at thinking that the world would be uncivilized without men. The writer and creator Brian K. Vaughn however made absolute sense the way he played out the events. The whole story is just fantastic. The story takes place over roughly 5 years, but the pacing doesn't drag in the least. It flows very well, every page was...well a page turner. I couldn't wait to finally see how it all ended. As far as the ending, I can't decide if I expected it, or if I was completely shocked. Either way I was happy the whole way through the story. The art was spectacular as well, with pencils done by Pia Guerra.

Seems there might be a movie in the works soon. Perhaps out some time next year.

Y: The Last Man is released by Vertigo.
Vertigo
Brian K. Vaughn's blog site
BKV.TV

Y: The Last Man

Scrumptious

2008-06-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in a previous post how much I admire Michelle Tea's writing. I've finished 'Valencia' so now I can give you all an educated opinion.

All through this book I was hooked on the vocabulary she used. Very much like the poetry I mentioned before. Really, it takes talent to describe a vegetarian's lapse into meat eating at Thanksgiving. All the sicken details actually sounded slightly pretty, the way a dead, rotting flower can seem pretty if you word it right. There really isn't a plot to this book. I can see where that can be a good thing or a bad one. Personally I loved it for that reason. It basically like sitting with the main character while she just talks to you, nothing special, just talking about the people she knows and what they did. Very gritty as I expected it would be, almost uncomfortably so in some places, but it was like secretly indulging in that fantasy life you know you'll never have. Who doesn't want to live aimlessly in the crazy drug, sex, and art capitalized world of San Fransisco?

I will admit however I did find some downfalls to 'Valencia'. None of which would stop me from reading it had I known before starting. When I saw it feels like sitting down with the main character while she talks I really mean it, drugged up obnoxious and all. The story jumps around a bit. You'll read about different stages of her relationships and experiences with various people randomly. You almost forget exactly what's going on. You'll read about a break up, going on to something else then for some reason she feels the need to explain more events while they were together. Unless you're really paying attention you really do loose all sense of time. I don't know if this is just me being picky or if it holds true for anyone else, but the fact that Michelle Tea's main character shared her own name first and last didn't sit well with me. Not for any real reason, just didn't. 'Valencia' won the Lambda Award for Best Lesbian Fiction. Fiction It just seemed a little awkward to me. Finally, the ending. I realize the book really had no point so there really wasn't need for a conclusion or anything, but there could have been something. 'Rose of No Man's Land' was similar in that there wasn't an overall dramatic story. Basically just telling what happened in the course of a day. That's just it though. When the day ended so did the book. 'Valencia' ended more or less in the middle of a big explination about another character you don't know about till near the ended. Just felt like it cut right off, like she just didn't want to talk anymore or got bored and went off to do something else.

Overall I would say yes, read the book. It's worth the time, and once you start you won't want to put it down.

Rating
7/10

Blinded by the Light

2008-06-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

On a whim my mother had me sit and watch a movie with her as she so often does. On one particular occasion we watched 'Running With Scissors', based on the memoirs of Augusten Burroughs. (played by Joseph Cross in the movie) I have yet to read the book so anything said pertains solely to the movie, which I actually really enjoyed. The insane quirkiness of every character really shines a light on the fact yes everyone is a bit insane and yes they can behappy in such a state. For the most part anyways. The cast was perfect. I've always been a big fan of Even Racheal Wood. She plays these sorts of characters well I've noticed. Annette Bening was terrific as the mental ill mother of our young Augusten. Such a convince performance. Absolutely a movie I would recommend, however I do feel it wouldn't be enjoyed by just anyone. If you are interested in action, exciting climatic turning points and the likes, this probably isn't your movie. If you enjoy seeing how people handle everyday (and not so everyday) life though, this is the movie for you.

Rating
8/10

The Movie
The Memiors

It's Me

2008-05-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

Before I begin I'd just like to say I HATE reality television, but I don't consider Animal Planet to be the same.

I stumbled across "It's me or the Dog" just the other morning. (literally. I walked out of the room half awake and it was on tv) This is a show about training ill mannered dogs. I haven't seen a lot, but I would like to say Victoria Stilwell is one of my new idols. She's extremely good at what she does. She can pinpoint the issues before walking in the room half the time. The best part though, she always sees the owners faults and works on them as much as the actual dogs. She isn't harsh or forceful and I'm amazed at the results.

I know this show is a stretch for some people. If these just aren't your thing then they aren't. Though I would really recommend watching it just for Victoria. Ahhhh.

It's Me or the Dog

Orgasmic - fixed

2008-05-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

I would just like to say Yay!

I just pray Fox doesn't screw him over like they ALWAYS do. In case you didn't already know, Joss Whedon, the man behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly/Serenity has this new show in the works. DollHouse. I was getting anxious to see more Joss work on television. I love the fact that everything he does has a unique twist, always different from anything else he's done yet always awesome.

Dollhouse is slated to start in the fall. Hopefully and in it's entirety the way it was meant to be shown.

A Cup of Warm Tea

2008-05-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

Today I'd like to shamelessly swoon over a terrific writer I recently stumbled across.

Michelle Tea.

For some reason or other I picked up a copy of her book "Rose of No Man's Land" and I fell in love. The store it's self was gritty and almost painful, but in an oh so good way. Her writing is SPECTACULAR! Miss Tea can take something so "dirty" as underage girls drugged up, wondering the dangerous city streets and causing havoc and turn it into raw poetry. I'm still just in awe over how her form of writing has really impacted me. Sadly that is her only book I have read, but I purchased "Valencia" a few days ago, so I'm excited to really dive into that one. I would really encourage all of you to look for her books. I'm about to go out and get "The Chelsea Whistle" in a couple of days myself.

Show some Love
Rose Of No Man's Land
Valencia
The Chelsea Whistle

(pssst! Search for more of her stuff!)

Iron Baby

2008-05-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a strange couple of days for me. I actually went to two movies in two days! That doesn't happen often. Today, I get to tell you about something that's actually current!

Baby Mama Staring none other then Tina Fey and Amy Poehler was fantastic in my opinion. Great comedy, terrific writing, and a well rounded cast. Sure it did have one of those "Everyone comes out a winner!" endings, but I actually didn't mind it so much this time. If you like those types of movies were opposites teach each other how to be better people by seeing the world from another perspective, then this is the movie for you. Steve Martins character was extremely annoying, and I really wouldn't care if he wasn't written in, but I would say that's my only problem with it.

Rating
8/10

Baby Mama

Iron Man. What more can I really say? It was fantastic. Marvel had a problem with other people making their movies, so Marvel Studios was spawned. Iron Man was their first child, and it was golden. Robert Downey Jr. gave a stunning performance as Tony Stark. I think that was probably what really sold the movie. Fantastic mixture of drama, action, comedy, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Sadly I am unfamiliar with the Iron Man comics, Having only really read the Ultimates so far, but my sources have said it remains very true to the origin and all that. In Marvel Studios we trust right? This my also explain why, if I'm not mistaken, this was the first time other marvel character were so heavily mentioned. Not sure about that so don't quote my on it. All I have to say is, stick around after the credits.

Rating
10/10

Iron Man

Brush up on your Iron Man comic knowledge Here

Chosen

2008-04-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Buffy Ombnibus #4 releases this week. 04.30.08 I have to admit the comics (before season 8) aren't exactly the best comics ever, but they are good for an on the go BtVS fix. They honestly rate pretty low on my comics list. I am a huge fan though, so of course I'm going to read them. I started collecting the issues. It's hard actually. They aren't floating around really anymore. I'm still collecting them, but I'm extremely happy for the Omnibus...es. Omnibi? Anyway, I love being able to read them and not have to open the issues I have. Vol. 4 looks fantastic. We're getting out of the high school phases (wrapping up the season 3 comics) and it includes some more Spike/Dru stories as well as an Angel related Mini story.

Vol 4

For the other volumes

Vol 1
Vol 2
Vol 3

Heard about the Buffy Tarot deck yet?

Kids in America

2008-04-16T18:29:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while I'll tune into the Life Time Network in the mornings to watch the movies. I don't often actually watch them since usually they contain the same plots. "Oh I'm a young abused newlywed wife who won't leave her husband" Or "I've lost a child to some tragic accident now I'm going insane" You get the idea. A few days ago however I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of the day.

Kids in America directed by Josh Stolberg is far from a masterpiece, but definately deserves some attention. The movie starts in an average High school setting, but when the narrow minded principle infringes on the rights of the students, they stand up and do something about it. At first KiA seems to be a little bit cheesy. I feel that they tried a little too hard to make it humorous. As it goes along however the lame jokes are fewer and far between. Casting was overall well done with the exception of the principle, played by Julie Bowen. She's young, beautiful, and petite. She doesn't elude to the tyrant she portrays. I do however think that might help with the illusion, however not well. Most of the stereotypes are exaggerated to add to the comedy I feel that it works in this case.

The best part of this film though, in my opinion, is the fact that it's based on true events, and if you stay and enjoy the credits you can witness interviews with the actual high school students who went through the unfair treatment we still see in todays world.

Kids in America

Rating
7/10

UT

2008-04-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

I bought Unreal Tournament for the PS2 the other day. So far I'm extremely pleased. If you know the UT games then this probably won't mean much to you. I don't really play games on the computer at the moment so when I stumbled across this game in a store I was pleased. It's worth the purchase (used at$14.99) Lots of fun. There's different leaves of skill you can play at to make things more fun. It of course determines the AI level of the bots. Sadly it isn't an online play game. I was really hoping it would be. You can of course play with up to four players and it has i.Link capability, but I actually prefer not to. Things are very difficult to see on screen.

Unreal Tournament

Rating:
7/10